Why Yogis do not typically eat meat

Do you ever wonder why most yogis or those who practice yoga often do not eat meat?

I have always loved chicken and pork, but I did realise that over the years I started to eat less and less meat especially prior to a yoga practice especially if I were to do a hot yoga class. I could smell it through my sweat which would put me off right away and also too much meat made me feel sluggish.

At one time I was even a vegan but could not sustain it for very long due to health reason. So, I found a healthy balance that worked for me even when I am unable to practice as much. It is mostly plant based but I do consume eggs and on rare occasion some fish. But other than that my diet is 80% vegetarian. Some reasons I avoid meat and most yogis who live the lifestyle do are as follows :-

Firstly meat contains high levels of toxins and because of the process it goes through it lacks essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs.

For someone who practices yoga and is into the teachings of a yogic lifestyle, we believe that eating meat of a slaughtered animal means that we are also taking in their pain and the fear which is detrimental to health and our peace of mind and it affects our emotions.

Also, from the nutrition point of view, we do not need as much protein as we think we do so some of us tend to overdo the protein leading to more health problems such as gout, inflammation, digestive issues and even behavioural disorders.

That’s why I do not believe in the no carb diet. As we all need healthy carbohydrates in our diet for our nervous system to function normally and also helps control weight and burn fat. Stick to healthy carbs like legumes, fruits, whole grains and vegetables. Remember that carbohydrates are the bodies main fuel source.

Typically a yoga diet mainly recommends a lacto-vegetarian diet, meaning that we consume small amounts of dairy products. This is to ensure that daily requirements of Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and calcium are met for our bodies to function normally.

Also eating less meat or a more vegetarian diet help to boost the immune system making it stronger and also a more plant-based diet does lower the chances of obesity and other health issues like high blood pressure, cancer and kidney failure.

Eat right for your body type and listen to your body. If something does not work for you, tweak it and experiment and eventually you will find the right diet that work well with your body.

Namaste

About the author:

Mona Gill is a busy mum and an entrepreneur. On top of that, she’s a yoga instructor and skincare expert. Mona is Astavita’s beauty and wellness ambassador. She attributes her stamina to cope with her busy lifestyle and still maintain clear complexion thanks to Astavita Healthy Living Antioxidants and Astarism. Mona extols holistic wellness, keeping a healthy lifestyle and beauty from inside out. You may follow her on Instagram: mkglife /yogamonadollsup